> If automation was the problem, then US would be price competitive on goods with China. This (and the article's similar approach) is only half of the equation

> If automation was the problem, then US would be price competitive on goods with China. This (and the article's similar approach) is only half of the equation. 'If automation was the problem and cheaper than offshored labor, then US would be price competitive on goods with China' There are two independent variables: the cost of offshore labor (China recently, SE Asia and Africa now) & the cost of automation. Businesses are going to pursue whatever is most cost effective. But people are incorrectly ignoring automation because it isn't a problem now. Put more restrictions on offshoring labor (thereby raising its cost) and automation is going to start looking very important.